A timely and important book that explores the history and future, as well as the societal and ethical implications, of Artificial Intelligence as we approach the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution
In Our Image brilliantly illuminates who we are as humans by demonstrating the surprisingly deep parallels between our motivations to replicate ourselves through computer technology and our emerging understanding of ourselves as relational beings created in God's image. This book is required reading for anyone--Christian or non-Christian--intrigued by the possibility of artificial intelligence.
Zarkadakis explores one of humankind's oldest love-hate relationships—our ties with artificial intelligence, or AI. He traces AI's origins in ancient myth, through literary classics like Frankenstein, to today's sci-fi blockbusters, arguing that a fascination with AI is hardwired into the human psyche. He explains AI's history, technology, and potential; its manifestations in intelligent machines; its connections to neurology and consciousness, as well as—perhaps most tellingly—what AI reveals about us as human beings.In Our Own Image argues that we are on the brink of a fourth industrial revolution—poised to enter the age of Artificial Intelligence as science fiction becomes science fact. Ultimately, Zarkadakis observes, the fate of AI has profound implications for the future of science and humanity itself.
Creating Their Own Image marks the first comprehensive history of African-American women artists, from slavery to the present day. Using an analysis of stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans in western art and culture as a springboard, Lisa E. Farrington here richly details hundreds ofimportant works--many of which deliberately challenge these same identity myths, of the carnal Jezebel, the asexual Mammy, the imperious Matriarch--in crafting a portrait of artistic creativity unprecedented in its scope and ambition. In these lavishly illustrated pages, some of which feature imagesnever before published, we learn of the efforts of Elizabeth Keckley, fashion designer to Mary Todd Lincoln; the acclaimed sculptor Edmonia Lewis, internationally renowned for her neoclassical works in marble; and the artist Nancy Elizabeth Prophet and her innovative teaching techniques. We meetLaura Wheeler Waring who portrayed women of color as members of a socially elite class in stark contrast to the prevalent images of compliant maids, impoverished malcontents, and exotics "others" that proliferated in the inter-war period. We read of the painter Barbara Jones-Hogu's collaboration onthe famed Wall of Respect, even as we view a rare photograph of Hogu in the process of painting the mural. Farrington expertly guides us through the fertile period of the Harlem Renaissance and the "New Negro Movement," which produced an entirely new crop of artists who consciously imbued their workwith a social and political agenda, and through the tumultuous, explosive years of the civil rights movement. Drawing on revealing interviews with numerous contemporary artists, such as Betye Saar, Faith Ringgold, Nanette Carter, Camille Billops, Xenobia Bailey, and many others, the second half ofCreating Their Own Image probes more recent stylistic developments, such as abstraction, conceptualism, and post-modernism, never losing sight of the struggles and challenges that have consistently influenced this body of work. Weaving together an expansive collection of artists, styles, andperiods, Farrington argues that for centuries African-American women artists have created an alternative vision of how women of color can, are, and might be represented in American culture. From utilitarian objects such as quilts and baskets to a wide array of fine arts, Creating Their Own Imageserves up compelling evidence of the fundamental human need to convey one's life, one's emotions, one's experiences, on a canvas of one's own making.
This study provides a comprehensive systematic classification, comparison, and evaluation of the major classes of theories of ultimate reality. It offers compelling analyses of anthropomorphism and apophaticism, including tracing multiple dimensions of anthropomorphism in various models of ultimate reality.
Fred Ritchin's" In Our Own Image is a comprehensive account of computer technology's impact on what we see and, ultimately, what we believe about the world. Both a history of photojournalism and a primer of computer technology, "In Our Own Image is a philosophy of vision and reality for the twenty-first century. Extensively revised and updated," In Our Own Image is sure to remain a staple of one of the most important debates for many years to come.
The first visual document of black social and cultural history in America from World War II to the present, In Our Own Image is also a fascinating scrapbook that recounts simple, eloquent stories about home life, family reunions, worship, weddings, funerals, barbeques, barbershops, beauty parlors, nightclubs, civic organizations, and celebrations. The unique recollections of African-Americans from a variety of backgrounds and age groups accompany more than 160 images from personal and archival collections, with such poignant ephemera as programs from cotillions and fashion shows, restaurant menus, movie posters, even ticket stubs. The authors have woven material from university and museum collections in Detroit, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Atlanta into a narrative photo book that forms a warm, loving record of African-American community, traditions, and family life in the latter half of the twentieth century.
In a sweeping look at state-of-the-art breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, computer science, psychology, and neural networks, neural networks expert Maureen Caudill reveals how close we are to achieving artificial vision, language recognition, problem solving, memory, and other requisites of intelligent robots. She asserts that as our ability to make faster, smaller, cheaper computers blends with our ability to mimic the behavior of the human mind, the first truly intelligent machines come closer to existence. Yet she warns that there will likely be some unexpected, and perhaps unpleasant consequences, as androids will compete with humans for jobs, and issues of ownership of an artificial being will come into play. This fascinating book also prepares us for the day when we must learn to share the world with another intelligent species, of our own creation.
Bluebird, along with most everyone else at school, wants to flutter like the most popular bird in their class, Hummingbird. "You should go on a diet, and work out at the gym. You could flutter like me, if your body was thin." Bluebird takes this comment seriously and starts to develop unhealthy eating habits. Mom comes to the rescue by teaching Bluebird balance and by explaining that everyone needs to feel comfortable in their own feathers. With help from the Bird Doc and the Food Voice Counselor, Bluebird learns to control the Food Voice that is living inside. "I'm working on balance one day at a time. If I keep working hard, I should be just fine." How to be Comfortable in Your Own Feathers uses a creative approach to speak to children who may be currently struggling with body-image concerns. This story is written in a manner that gives children an opportunity to apply the characters' experiences to their own lives. It also demonstrates appropriate adult responses that encourage the development of healthy eating habits. Includes "Live It" Dos and Don'ts.
"Someone once noted that God made us in His image, and ever since we have tried to do God a favor by making Him in our image." It’s easy to speak to others about the Jesus who cared for the poor, healed the sick, and preached love and justice for the least of these. But what about the God who tells the Israelites to wage war and kill entire people groups? Or threatens exile and then delivers? Or sends people to hell? Can these really be the same God? The simple answer is, yes. God in His Own Image takes you on a journey through the Bible exploring God’s true nature. You’ll study instances of great mercy and great severity, and by the end, you’ll begin to see why both God’s compassion and his wrath are necessary, important, and even beautiful. Get to know the God who is both Lion and Lamb, both Judge and Father, both kind and severe, and perfect in every way.